Viet Nam, Cambodia pledge to support Laos' ASEAN Chairmanship 2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia Sok Chenda Sophea made the above commitment at their meeting in Luang Prabang, Laos, ahead of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' (AMM) Retreat on January 28.

The two sides expressed their delight at the growing special friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Discussing the direction of cooperation, they agreed to coordinate in organizing the 21st Meeting of the Viet Nam-Cambodia Joint Committee on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation; effectively deploy the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Viet Nam Diplomatic Academy and the Cambodia Institute of Diplomacy and International Cooperation.

Also, the two countries will continue to exchange and negotiate the demarcation and marking of the remaining 16 percent of the land border; consider opening new border gates between the two countries.

On this occasion, Minister Bui respectfully invited Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Sok Chenda Sophea to make an official visit to Viet Nam at an appropriate time.

At his meeting with Lao Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, both sides agreed to effectively implement high-level agreements and results of the 46th Meeting of the Viet Nam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee in January 2024 and continue to step up the implementation of the cooperation agreement between the two foreign ministries for the 2021-2025 period.

Minister Bui affirmed that Viet Nam supports Laos in assuming the role of ASEAN Chairman in 2024, and it will closely coordinate with the neighboring country in promoting the Strategic Plan of the ASEAN Community Vision to 2045.

The Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister affirmed his support for Viet Nam to host the "ASEAN Future Forum on Rapid and Sustainable Development, People-centred" (expected in April 2024), saying he would report to Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone to attend at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The two ministers agreed to strengthen coordination and support each other at international, regional and sub-regional forums and work with other member countries to maintain solidarity and enhance ASEAN's central role in regional and international issues, including the East Sea issue.